Frontline is part of a series of programs implemented by the Global Network for Disaster Risk Reduction (GNDR). This is a follow-up from the “Views from the Frontline” phases (2009, 2011 and 2013), followed by Actions, Reflection and Learning processes. It aimed at contributing significantly in bringing about community resilience to Disaster Risk around the world. It is also a contribution to the implementation of the Sendai framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. Both scientific and local knowledge are embedded in this action research work with a learning component for different stakeholders – participating organisations, local governments and community members.
This phase of Frontline started in January 2015, involving different stages;
(1) selection of participating organisation (POs),
(2) training of POs on the methodology,
(3) community consultations based on face to face and small focus group discussions on developing specific codes for Cameroon that were approved by the Global hub,
(4) the administration of questionaires,
(5) analysis of the results,
(6) draft report,
(7) National consultation and
(8) final report.
The field survey was designed with a qualitative approach encourging informats to describe their environment in their own words. These field reports were later transcribed into coded information. GEADIRR worked with 5 other Civil Society Organisations during the months of February and April 2015 in 8 (Littoral, Southwest, West, Northwest, Centre, Adamawa, South and North) regions of Cameroon, to administered these Frontline qualitaive questionnaires on community resilience.
The survey focused on mapping community risk through a set of questionaires that assesses priority treats, consequences of each treat, impacts caused by highlighted treats, ongoing or planned actions to mitigate impacts of the threats and what constitutes barriers to the actions. The results indicate that the most important threats affecting Cameroonians are traffic accidents, floods, fire incidence, electric power shortage, unemployment, poverty, insecurity, pollution etc.
Expectations are that output from this action research will provide government/decision makers with the right tool that should permit taking effective and informed decisions. Even though the government of Cameroon is committed to building a disaster resilient nation, as shown by the putting in place of different national policies and engaging in international commitments, findings of this research indicate that an effectively resilient Cameroon will only be achieved if the resilience of local communities is enhanced.
The year 2015 was an eventful year that witnessed the Sendai Framework on Disaster Risk Reduction (SF-DRR,2015-2030) replaced the Hyogo Framwork for Action (HFA, 2005-2015), while the Millinium Development Goals (MDGs) were replaced by the Sustainble Developments Goals (SDGs). There was also the putting in place the Paris agreement on Climate Change.
Geo-Technology, Environmental Assessment and Disaster Risk Reduction (GEADIRR)
National Coordinating Organization for Cameroon
Frontline 2015/16 Project
Download full report here: Frontline Cameroon
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